Trains of Thought

Part 2: The Practice of Biotensegrity

by Dr. Paul Williams, ​PT, DPT

​Since I was around sixteen, my body’s fascial connections have been forged and tempered through training in aikido. In the last several years, it has also been developed through tai chi and Shindo Yoshin Ryu. Although the role of these trainings in forming an interconnected body is not yet well understood, research has found that strengthening the fascia's biotensegrity is how we create the interconnected body.
 
What is Biotensegrity?
 
“Current biomedical theory is based on the laws of classical mechanics as formulated by Galilei, Newton, and Hooke, etc., and applied to the behavior of man-made machines from the 17th century and it has remained largely unchanged ever since.”- Stephen M. Levin (2020)
 
For a long time, it was always accepted that our bones stack upon themselves and the tissues attached along with gravity cause compressive forces from the top down. This classical understanding of the body’s structure is much like how buildings are made or how we see any inanimate object’s structure based on Newtonian physics. I was only taught this way of looking at the body in physical therapy school. Subsequently, this is a limited view that has run up against recent research suggesting a more nuanced approach. 
 
“Anatomy is not a collection of isolated bits that operate in a local piecemeal-like way but a complex, fully integrated, nested modular arrangement where the function of each part is dependent on all those surrounding it.” -Stephen M. Levin (2020)
 
When we calculate isolated forces acting upon a single joint or the intrabdominal pressure of a heavy weightlifter, we conclude that if it weren’t for the supportive structures attached, we’d have catastrophic failure of these tissues. So, what would be a more accurate way of thinking about forces acting on the body? Instead of thinking piecemeal about the square frame in which buildings are made, we should be thinking about triangles and how truss designs work. Truss designs operate in three-dimensional space and evenly distribute strain throughout the complete structure. The best way to demonstrate this concept is to study the shape and function of the tensegrity model and its many applications.
 

            Above is a tensegrity model created by Buckminister Fuller’s student, Kenneth Snelson. Here we see struts and a tensional network of bands that create a collection of three-bar tension triangles. This provides a very stable structure created by a balance of tension and compressional invisible forces. Think of the struts being like bones which transfer a lot of the compressional load and the bands being soft tissue like fascia, tendon, ligament, etc., which store energy and help transfer force via its elastic properties. The concept of biotensegrity adds to our understanding that instead of bones (struts) fully compressing on top of each other, they are floating or being pulled up in support by the fascia and soft tissues (bands) much like the model above.  
 
Each section is fully integrated with the whole giving it both elastic and compressive qualities. For example, if one provides pressure at one end, then that force will be transferred from one joint to another creating a temporary deformity with stored energy that returns to its original form once released. Below is a model created by artist Tom Flemons that illustrates this concept of elasticity and how the lower extremity’s structure maintains most of its shape and function even with vector forces pushing from the outside. For a more in-depth look at biotensegrity models work check out this video by Thomas Myers.
 

No pressure

Pressure applied

​Clinically, this way of looking at the body could change the physical therapy field for the better. We know that a patient’s negative beliefs about their body’s resiliency can be a predictor of chronic pain. If true, then why do we still educate our patients with a skeleton model as if this is an acceptable and accurate way of looking at the body? We could be triggering our patients to catastrophize their injuries when we look at the body as a fragile compressive structure that is doomed if they put too much stress on the spine or a joint. When we just look at a skeletal model and explain the causes of disc herniation of the lower back or the torn meniscus of the knee, we negate an important understanding of how a healthy and integrated fascial system can offload that stress. Therefore, I believe we should be teaching a more accurate model that involves a narrative of resiliency and integrity.
 
The Biotensegrity of Ukemi
 
Most of aikido’s curriculum is based off Daito Ryu Aikijujitsu, which grounds its techniques in principles of absorbing and redistributing force through an integrated structure. These principles require what I would call the aiki-body. This type of integrated body allows us to be able to absorb force with proper alignment from a point of attack through our body without interruption when performing or receiving a technique.
 
This does not just mean proper postural alignment. This also implies that our connective tissues, like our fasciae, require to be aligned as well. Below is an example of the effects on fascia with exercise vs sedentary activity. The right demonstrates a multi-directional hodgepodge of fibers which leads to a loss of springiness and elastic recoil. To the left we see neatly aligned fibers forming a latticed structure needed for proper elasticity. Without this alignment our biotensegrity structure loses its ability to support and respond to pressure placed upon it.
 

​“The founder clearly stated that the basic technique, ikkajo through yonkajo, is katsutori (which refers to the extraction of the pulp like sediment that is a byproduct of the production of Japanese alcohol, e. g. shochu, sake, et cetera.) In other words, through the performance of basic techniques, we remove the sediment or residue (by removing the tension) built up in our partners joints. Therefore, contrary to popular belief, these techniques are not for the purpose of knocking down others. I heard the Founders say this and use the term kasutori only once but now upon reflection i realized that i was lucky to have had the opportunity to hear this.” -Sunadomari Kanshu
 
This quote, taken from Ellis Amdur’s book Hidden in Plain Sight, is by Sunadomori, a personal disciple of O-Sensei in aikido and Omotokyo. It’s a revealing statement about the purpose of aikido training and the concept of kasutori. According to O-Sensei, to create a body fit for enlightenment, one must perform these techniques to take out the pulp. This is a great analogy for what fascia looks like in the sedentary example. It’s so funny that O-Sensei didn’t know how right he was.
 
“Uke is also provided with the opportunity to stretch and strengthen his/her joints and connective tissue. Connective tissue becomes stronger through load bearing and also through specific ways of stretching coupled with breathing. Similarly, this is what can happen to the body when taking properly exerted and properly received aikido technique.”- Ellis Amdur (2000)
 
According to Amdur Sensei and recent research, the primary modality for achieving the aiki-body is through ukemi. Therefore, it is the nage/tori’s role to soften our joints or in other words to take out the stiffness/pulp and make them more pliable and elastic. Amdur likens nage’s role to uke as a tool to further temper the body like fine metal, a process known as tanren or forging. To do this well, we must look at a specific type of muscle contraction and its importance in receiving a technique.
 
“On days following heavy eccentric exercises until fatigue, a substantial thickening of the deep fascia can be detected using high- resolution ultrasound imaging.” - Nosaka, K. & Lau, W.Y. (2018)
 

 
Receiving a technique strengthens the fascial track connection by slowly stretching uke from their hands down to their toes in an action called eccentric contraction. This action stimulates not only the growth of muscles but also the strengthening of connective tissues via stretch that can reinforce the myofascial chains as mentioned in part one. In order to achieve this, it’s necessary to have proper ukemi that stays connected to nage and not to throw themselves or move ahead of nage’s technique in anticipation and without unnecessary cause.
 
All too often, ukemi in modern aikido gives nage the technique without properly receiving it resulting in a flashy display of acrobatics. Amdur Sensei warns against uke’s throwing themselves to make their teachers look good. This kind of ukemi is empty and without benefit to either nage or uke. Consequently, nage may develop an inflated sense of ability and uke never builds up their body to properly receive or perform techniques. This type of ukemi would leave so much benefit on the table.
 
Based on the advantages of eccentric training we can see that aikido’s nage/uke relationship has something unique and valuable to contribute in strengthening not just our muscles but potentially one’s fascial structure. As shown in the tensegrity models, with eccentric contraction, energy is stored in fascia via its elastic properties only to be restored to its original shape once released. This release can be expressed in the form of a high fall, roll, or as mentioned in the nage/uke relationship link, a reversal.
 
Biotensegrity of Techniques
 
“There is no real difference between structure and function; they are two sides of the same coin. If structure does not tell us something about function, it means we have not looked at it correctly.” – Andrew Taylor Still, 1899
 
            As said in part one, according to the Anatomy Trains Theory, the function of myofascial chains is to allow us to absorb and transfer energy from outside forces. If this is true, then I hypothesize that these chains, if strongly connected, can also allow us to generate force more efficiently through our bodies and not just absorb it in our ukemi. Since our fasciae are what gives us shape and structure, then one can see from the outside if our form and function are correctly expressed through techniques.
 
To study this, we will focus primarily on the myofascial chains discussed in part one. There are many tracks in the body connecting the left and right along with same side connections. My focus is on one chain that connects us contralaterally from the pinky finger all the way to the opposite foot as described in the “Anatomy of the Roll”. I call this the kokyu chain. We find this cross-body connection utilized in just about every technique that exists in the aikido curriculum. This in my view is the most important track that facilitates the stability and capability to transfer power needed to perform techniques such as kokyuho or iriminage.
 
That’s not to say that there couldn’t be other chains just as important in these techniques. My purpose for this inquiry is to gain a better understanding of the recent research on fascia and its implications toward my martial arts training. Therefore, this model was chosen to shed light on a new way to view body mechanics for a foundational technique in aikido.  
 

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Take a look at morote dori kokyuho above. Newens Sensei is dropping down from his center, connecting to the back leg, and extending upward with his opposite left arm through his little finger. The same facial track that supports the roll is supporting my weight and leveraging me upward in a two-way street. From a biotensegrity lens, Sensei is absorbing my weight and force with ease from his left arm and distributes it throughout his body including down to the opposite leg.
 

In the picture above, I have just pushed off with my left front foot with arms raised open and stepped behind Newens Sensei. Force vectors are traveling from muscle contractions of the right upper extremity while ground reaction forces are traveling up the left lower extremity. Both vectors meeting in the center of my body creating balance and stability. Both examples utilize a principle in biotensegrity called structural effect where movement at one end of the body impacts elsewhere in the body.
 

 
            Above, we have another beautiful example of a technique that more closely resembles the front roll. Grace Powell is utilizing the integrity and power of the kokyu chain by extending through her little finger with an outstretched and internally rotated left arm and a grounded back leg. In this posture, she is exerting and transferring energy through her body's myofascial structure to provide stability and force for the throw. All the while, she can support her uke as he is in the air performing a high fall. None of this would be possible without proper shape and function of the interconnected fascial lines and the rolls that helped form the same myofascial track.
 
Biotensegrity of Aiki-Bukiwaza
 
Another way to create tensile strength in the body’s fascia is through weapons practice. In aikido we have aiki-ken and aiki-jo practice made specifically to strengthen our taijutsu. This is done especially well through the solo practice of suburi.
 
Just like in other kenjitsu arts, when we tightly grip with the little finger and ground our opposite back foot, we provide a closed kokyu chain connection to the ground and allow for the ability to stop the strike parallel to the ground with ease. We finish this strike through a wringing of the wrists otherwise known as shibori. This locks our wrist structure into a close packed position that hypothetically allows the force of the bokken strike to be evenly distributed from our hands down to the feet.
 
“This wringing is exactly the same tonus that you should do with suburi, repetitive swings with a bokken (perhaps the most important purpose of suburi within aikido or any other martial arts striving to train internal strength). -Ellis Amdur (2000)
 
Striking is not to be done with excessive force. One needs to be relaxed enough to allow the fascial structures to absorb the force of the strike instead of our elbows or shoulders. The clear benefit of weapons practice is found when we perform taijutsu techniques with this same tensile relaxation. This is how and why weapons training is so important. It creates the skill of attaining good resting tone in our tissues when gripping an object so that we may use the body’s fascial structure to exert or distribute force throughout.
 
Conclusion
 
Understanding the fascia’s integrated structure, its biotensegrity, and how it relates to our aikido practice has been a big eye opener for me. For many years I've heard about cross-body connections and how important they are, but I never really understood how our body is connected. With just focusing on the kokyu chain, I've discovered many different aspects of my training that were starring me directly in my face.
 
One of which was the importance of ukemi. I've written about how ukemi can make your muscles stronger through eccentric contraction. But my understanding was so myopic. Physical therapists are very good at reducing the whole into many different parts. However, we are not so good at seeing the body holistically unless we've adopted the fascial biotensegrity paradigm. Since doing this research, I can see how aikido is so brilliantly set up to forge the body's fascia as well.
 
I also appreciate another reason why ukemi practice is so important. The significance of ukemi also translates to the form and structure of performing techniques. Much of the shapes and cross body connections required to have proper ukemi are needed to be an effective and efficient nage.
 
 Lastly, but not least of which, was the exciting discovery that the kokyu chain starts at the pinky finger which is exactly where we grip tightest for stability in the bokken strike. With consistent practice, we can create a relaxed resting tone that allows for absorption of the strike to be dissipated throughout our body. Whether we are holding a bokken or an arm, this practice allows us to be grounded, relaxed, and stable with our cross-body connection.
 
Sometimes I wonder, did these great martial artists know on an intuitive level the existence of these connections? Was this part of a secret old school teaching lost to time? In my practices, I’ve often asked why do it this way or that way. Now my new understanding of the fascial system allows me to see the answers to those questions I’ve had in Tai Chi, Aikido, and Shindo Yoshin Ryu. I hope it does the same for you. Happy training!
 
 
Works Cited
 
 
Myers, T. W. (2014). Anatomy Trains: Myofascial Meridians for Manual and movement Therapists. Elsevier Ltd.
 
Schleip, R., Findley, T. W., Chaitow, L., & Huijing, P. (Eds.). (2021). Fascia: the tensional network of the human body-e-book: the science and clinical applications in manual and movement therapy. Elsevier Health Sciences.
 
Ajimsha, M. S., Al-Mudahka, N. R., & Al-Madzhar, J. A. (2015). Effectiveness of myofascial release: systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Journal of bodywork and movement therapies, 19(1), 102-112.
 
Schleip, R. (2015) Fascia in Sport and Movement. Edinburgh, UK: Handsping Publishing.
 
Schleip, R., Bayer, J.  (2021) Fascial Fitness: Practical Exercises to Stay Flexible, Active, and Pain Free in Just 20 Minutes a Week. Berkely: North Atlantic Books/ Lotus Publishing.
 
Kjaer, M., Landberg, H., Heinemeier, K., Bayer, M.L., Hanse, M., Krogsgaard, M.R., & Magnusson, S.P. (2009) From mechanical loading to collagen synthesis, structural changes and function in human tendon. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 19: 500-510.
 
Laozi., Feng, G., & English, J. (1997). Tao te ching. 25th anniversary ed. New York, Vintage Books.
 
Wilke, J. (2021). Mechanical force transmission across myofascial chains. Fascia in Sport and Movement, 147.
 
Levin, S. M., & Martin, D. C. (2020). Biotensegrity-the mechanics of fascia.
 
Wertli, M. M., Rasmussen-Barr, E., Weiser, S., Bachmann, L. M., & Brunner, F. (2014). The role of fear avoidance beliefs as a prognostic factor for outcome in patients with nonspecific low back pain: a systematic review. The spine journal, 14(5), 816-836.
 
Amdur, Ellis (2000) Hidden in Plain Sight: Esoteric Power Training Within Japanese Martial Traditions. Freelance Academy Press

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